Caring Shell, Marigold customers help stuff Empty Stocking fund

Silly, poignant Christmas pics

Ashton Wong poses for a photo in his SmartCar decorated with an oversized Santa that his mother made, as he volunteered at the Santas Anonymous depot, 12345 - 121 St., in Edmonton, Alta. on Sunday December 16, 2012. Volunteers delivered Christmas presents to 25,000 less fortunate children and visit approximately 12,000 households. (David Bloom/QMI Agency)

David Bloom/Edmonton Sun/ QMI Ag

Mary Moreland walks with a Christmas tree through the Market in Ottawa, Ont. Sunday Dec 16, 2012. Mary wanted a small tree to display her most beautiful Christmas ornaments. (QMI Agency)

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They seldom make a big fuss about it but Shell Canada motored back on board with our Empty Stocking Fund.

We are going to make a big deal about it, however, because their customers helped us raise more than $16,000 in cash and kind last Christmas.

Once again, Shell stations all over town are accepting toys, food and cash donations so the Christmas Cheer Board’s less fortunate families can enjoy Christmas. So, the next time you stop by your friendly neighbourhood station to fill up, help fill up those Cheer Board bins and coin jars.

Breaking it down, Shell collected $8,798.66 worth of toys, $1,384 in groceries and another $937.37 in coins from its caring customers for a total of $11,120.03 last December. The corporation then topped it off by matching their customers’ donations up to $3,000 and added another $2,000 in much-needed gas coupons for the Cheer Board.

Let’s see if we can hit the $17,000 mark this yuletide.

SING-A-LONG: The Portage Avenue Marigold will be hosting its annual Christmas carol Sing-A-Long this very Tuesday. That’s when loyal customers gather at Wally Woo’s popular eatery to sing their favourite songs guided by guitarist Allan Rosky, and enjoy the scrumptious food.

Both the Portage and Ellice Avenue Marigolds collect coins for the Cheer Board throughout December. The Portage Avenue eatery also offers a month-long draw for such great prizes as a king-size duvet, gift baskets and gift cards. Unfortunately, it is not raffling any Winnipeg Jets tickets like it did last yuletide.

“Maybe that’s why our ticket sales are a little sluggish,” suggested Marigold manager Jean Giesbrecht. “But it is always fun and hopefully, it will be a good crowd. It should be crazy busy.”

The two Marigolds raised a record $2,930.95 for our Empty Stocking Fund, just short of that magic $3,000 number. Try to help them get there this year.

The party starts at 7 p.m., so get there early. And enjoy.

SOCKO STUFFER: Just like clockwork, our old friend “Socko” has helped bulge our Stocking. Bob Sokalski, who used to help host all those great Cheer Board bashes at Wise Guys, ponied up $500 for the Cheer Board.

“Great memories of raising money (and raising glasses) going back to the days of the old Marble Club, hosted by Bruce (Juice) Johnson, and then carrying through all those years at Wise Guys when we became the hosts,” he wrote. “Let the good work that Kai Madsen and the Christmas Cheer Board continue and hope that others get off their wallets and send in some cash. Merry Christmas!”

You guys have been challenged, and have a rockin’ Christmas, Socko.

MAILING: Please send whatever you can spare to The Sun’s Empty Stocking Fund, 1700 Church Ave., Wpg., Man. R2X 3A2. Receipts will be issued for donations of $10 or more.

Caring Shell, Marigold customers help stuff Empty Stocking fund

They seldom make a big fuss about it but Shell Canada motored back on board with our Empty Stocking Fund.

We are going to make a big deal about it, however, because their customers helped us raise more than $16,000 in cash and kind last Christmas.

Once again, Shell stations all over town are accepting toys, food and cash donations so the Christmas Cheer Board’s less fortunate families can enjoy Christmas. So, the next time you stop by your friendly neighbourhood station to fill up, help fill up those Cheer Board bins and coin jars.

Breaking it down, Shell collected $8,798.66 worth of toys, $1,384 in groceries and another $937.37 in coins from its caring customers for a total of $11,120.03 last December. The corporation then topped it off by matching their customers’ donations up to $3,000 and added another $2,000 in much-needed gas coupons for the Cheer Board.